Donne Cottage is one of twelve luxury holiday cottages set within the peaceful grounds of an historic country estate near Chipping Norton in the Cotswolds. The cottage was originally built for the cowman of the manor house at the site, but is now a beautiful country house-style abode, perfect for a family. There’s a fantastic private garden where you can socialise or relax, and you’ll also have access to communal facilities in the grounds including the stunning estate gardens, an indoor swimming pool, a gym, a spa and children’s play areas. It’s a great place to experience the kind of luxury you’d expect in a 5-star English country house hotel, but with the privacy and freedom of a home.
Open the front door and step into the reception area, off which is a utility room with a washer/dryer and a WC. Then, continue to the kitchen, a calming space with neutral tones. Here, you will find granite worktops and a Belfast sink, along with mod-cons including a fridge/freezer, hob and oven, microwave and dishwasher, as well as a pine dining table that’s great for breakfast and informal meals.
Next to the kitchen is the drawing room/dining room where you can relax on the sofa or comfy chairs, beside the smart open fireplace. Homely touches include the feature needlepoint rug, a bookcase and the antique Irish dresser, which is full of Masons Ironstone dishes, while the large dining table is great for the whole family to gather for dinner.
Upstairs, there are three bedrooms. The master bedroom features a four-poster, king-size bed and an en-suite shower room. The second bedroom has two single beds, whilst the third bedroom has a single bed, which is a mini four-poster. There is also a bathroom with a bath and a shower over, a washstand and a WC.
Outside, is a private, enclosed garden with a lawn, perfect for letting the kids or the dog blow off some steam. It’s south-facing and is furnished with a table and chairs, an umbrella and a barbecue so you can spend all day out there when the weather is good.
You’ll also have access to the estate’s stunning gardens which feature a mix of formal and informal elements, the perfect place for a quiet stroll. There’s also access to shared facilities including an indoor swimming pool, spa and gym, as well as several children’s play areas and the teens’ games room.
The Cotswolds is a richly rural area with more than 3,000 footpaths and trails running through farmland and wildflower meadows, as well as ancient woodlands to explore.
For woodland birds, Box Wood tucked away in a valley near Minchinhampton is well worth a visit. Comprised mainly of beech, with some limestone streams running through it, in summer it becomes alive with birds. Listen out for great-spotted woodpeckers and tawny owls, and keep your eyes peeled for treecreepers and nuthatches as they run up and down the trees.
More woods can be found on Crickley Hill jointly managed by the National Trust and Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust. Located just south of Cheltenham its habitats also include grassland, scrub, and limestone rock exposures. Mixed flocks of tits and finches are common in the woods, while kestrels can often be seen hovering above as they hunt for prey. In summer, the site is also a haven for wildflowers and butterflies.
Cotswold Water Park which straddles the Gloucestershire and Wiltshire border is a vast marl lake system spread over 42 miles. Cleveland Lakes Reserve is made up of two of the largest lakes and is an important site for both wintering and breeding birds including coots, great crested grebes, and little egrets. For bitterns, reed buntings, water rails, and snipes, head to Shorncote Reedbed which also has two bird hides so you can view the wildlife close up.
If you want to see some exotic and rare birds, Birdland in Bourton-on-the-water has a variety of attractions set in nine acres of gardens and woodland. Some of the highlights include the Parliament of Owls, home to eight species of owl, the Pandemonium of Parrots, where you can learn about the 16 species of parrot housed there, and Penguin Shore which has daily feeding displays. There are plenty of spots to have a picnic, as well as a children’s play area, and a gift shop.
Nearby Greystones Farm nature reserve is home to wildflower meadows, Iron Age ramparts, a replica Iron Age roundhouse, a working organic farm, and an interactive discovery barn. The old farm buildings are used by swallows and house martins for nesting and there are plenty of birds of prey to be spotted gliding overhead. There is also the opportunity to view a live camera feed of a barn owl box, and watch the birds as they bring up their chicks.
Farmland birds can be found all over the beautiful Cotswolds countryside. Look out for corn buntings, grey partridges, turtle doves, and yellow wagtails.
